Packaging machine



Aug, 20, J SCHNUR PACKAGING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 27, 1932 [EU/022757 I fac0b Jc/Uzur 1935- J. SCHNUR I PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2'7, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. SCHNUR Aug. 20, 1935.

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 27, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 20, 1935. J. SCHNUR PACKAGING MACHINE Fild Aug. 27, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 20, 1935. J. SCHNUR PACKAGING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 2'7, 1932 LII I fzzpezzfo? I c cca Jcknur- Aug. 20, 1935. J. SCHNUR 2,011,829

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 27, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 fry/@2225; kjacofi .jcknzu" Aug. 20, 1935. J. SCHNUR PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2'7, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 llllll ll Aug, 20, 1935. J. SCHNUR 1 9 9 PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Aug. 27, 1932 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 0 oo o 0 0 0 1/170 mv \p 9 1%9/7 W 7 cjxp o 0 0/6 Patented Aug. 20, 1935 PAEKAGING MACHINE Duration of Delaware Application August 27, 1932, Serial No. 630,627

25 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a machine for making packages, especially packages for material which deteriorates upon exposure to air.

The packages made by the particular'machine disclosed in this application are rectangular, brick-like cheese packages in which a predetermined quantity of cheese or cheese product is enclosed in an impervious, preferably metal foil, wrapper. The wrapper is made of two parts, one of which constitutes a receptacle having a bottom'and side walls, and a cover sheet which closes the top of the receptacle. The receptacle part is provided with a rim flange portion and the cover part has a marginal portion which overlaps the rim flange of the receptacle and the said flange and marginal'portions are interfolded and closed against the side wall surface of the package to form a substantially impervious seal between the two parts forming the wrapper for the package content.

The main objects of this'invention are to provide mechanism for facilitating the filling of a receptacle with the desired product; to provide automatic mechanism for interfolding portions of the receptacle and cover sheet to form a tight joint between the two parts; to provide comparatively simple mechanism for the purpose set forth which will not be apt to get out of order but will be durable and will operate smoothly and efficiently with a minimum of attention by an operator; and in general, it is the object of 'the invention to provide an improved machine of the class described. Qther objects and advantages of the invention will be understood by reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings 1 (8 sheets) in 'which a packaging machine embodying a preferred form of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan. Fig. 2 is asection on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of the por tion of the mechanism indicated by the line 3-3 of Figs. I.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of another portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is asection on the line 9-9 of Fig.1,-

and a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a section illustrating the details of construction of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line i l-l i of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2-|2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a perspective illustrating certain guide and cam elements of the machine.

Fig. 14 is a detail illustration of certain driving mechanism located in the plane indicated by the line M- M of Fig. 1.

Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18 are illustrative of successive steps inthe operation of packaging as carried on' bythe machineillustrated.

Fig. 19 is a bottom plan of an upper die membar, the plane of the plan being indicated.- by the line l9--l9 of Fig. 17, and

Fig. 20 is a perspective of a completed package produced by the machine illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings, and for the present, more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the

machine herein disclosed includes a turntable or conveyor 25 which is rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft or post 26, the latter being mounted in fixed position in a base 21. The shaft 26 does not rotate but is stationary.

A bevel gear 28 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 26 and is suitably keyed or otherwise secured to a spur gear 29 so that the said gears 28 and 29 rotate as a unit. The gears 28 and 29 may be continuously driven by means of any suitable driving means which may, for example, include a driving gear meshing with either of the gears 28 and 29. Inasmuch as the source of power may vary according to the various installations of the machine, no specific "driving tr.-

rangement is herein shown, it being within the skillv of any mechanic to apply a suitable driving means.

' The turntable 25, is to be rotated intermittently and for the purpose of so rotating the turntable, a Geneva movement is provided. In this instance, the Geneva movement includes a disc member 30 having a hub 3| whereby it is rotatably mounted on the shaft 26, the disc being suitably slotted as indicated at 32. A crank arm 33 secured to the upper'end of a shaft 34 is provided JWith a roller or pin 35 which engages the successive slots 32in the wheel of the well-known Geneva movement to intermittently propel the disc 32 and conveyor table 25 (see also Fig. 14).

As shown in Fig. 2, the Geneva disc 30 is pinned to the conveyor table 25 so that these parts rotate together as a unit. The shaft 34 which carries the Geneva operating crank 33 is rotatably mounted in a suitable bracket such as illustrated in Fig. 14, and the shaft may be rotated by means of a gear 36 secured to the shaft and meshing with the gear 29 on the vertical shaft 26.

A plurality of package holders 31 are mounted on the turntable near its periphery, these holders being all of substantially identical construction and adapted to receive and position packages in predetermined relation to the turntable and in predetermined relation to other devices which operate on the packages, as will presently be described.

Each holder 31 is in the form of a rectangular box having side walls 38 and a bottom 39, these parts being suitably united and mounted on a supporting post 40. The supporting post 48 is vertically adjustably mounted on the turntable 25 through the'agency of a bracket 4| which is bolted as indicated at 42, or otherwise secured to the turntable 25. The bracket 4| is provided with a way 43 which vertically, slidably receives a stem portion 44 of the holder supporting'member 40. Near its lower end, the stem portion 44 is provided with a roller 45 which enters a groove 46 in a guide member 41. As shown in Fig. 13, the guide member 41 is circular so that the roller 45 remains in the guideway groove 46 throughout the travel of the turntable 25.

Each holder is-provided with a false bottom element 48 which is vertically adjustable in the holder, and which is carried by the upper end of a depending stem or rod 49. As clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 10, the rod 49 is provided with a head 50 at its lower end and a spring disposed around the rod and compressed between the said head 50, and the bottom face of the top portion of the support 40 serves to yieldingly hold the false bottom element 48 in its lowermost position in the holder as illustrated in Fig. 4.

In a fully automatic machine, suitable means would be provided for delivering to one of the holders 31, a suitable sheet of impervious material such as metal foil from which a package receptacle can be formed in the holder by means of suitable plunger mechanism cooperating therewith at one of the holder stations on the turntable. The present machine is, however, illustrated as a semi-automatic machine, and it is contemplated that preformed metal foil receptacles will be inserted into the respective holders 31 at a suitable point, for example at A (Fig. 1) which may be considered the starting point of the packaging operation as carried on by this machine.

The first movement of the turntable 25 carries the holder with a metal foil receptacle placed therein from the station A to the station indicated at B, where it is filled with a predetermined quantity of the desired material; for example, cheese or cheese product. InFigs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the lower end 52 of a, supply hopper is shown as provided with a measuring discharge valve device 53 of well-known construction. It is preferred to elevate the holder and its receptacle of metal foil from normal position as shown in full lines in Fig. 4 to elevated position adjacent the discharge nozzle 53 as shown in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3, and in broken lines in FE. 4.

For effecting such upward adjustment of the holder 31, a portion 54 of the guide 41 is made separable from the guide 41 and it is secured to or formed integral with the free end 55 of a lever 58. The lever 56 is pivoted intermediate its ends as indicated at "1 on a suitable upstanding lug or like portion of a frame element 58. The opposite end of the lever 56 is connected to one end of a link 59 through the agency of a universal joint 66, and the other end of the link 59 is connected through the agency of a universal joint 6| to the free end of an arm 62. The arm 62 constitutes one arm of a bell crank, the other arm being indicated at 63. The arms 62 and 63 are respectively provided with rollers 64 and 65 which engage cams 66 and 61 respectively. The cams and 61 rotate in the direction of the arrow 68 (Fig. 4), and the cam 61, acting through the arm 63. serves to rock the lever 56 so as to elevate the outer end 55 thereof, whereby the holder 31 is also elevated to substantially the position illustrated in Fig. 3.

Upon completion of the filling operation, the cam 66, acting through the arm62 serves to lower the holder and filled receptacle to lowered position as shown in full lines in Fig. 4.

While the holder and receptacle are in elevated position, a measuring valve element constituting part of the discharge nozzle 53 is automatically actuated. The means for actuating the valve includes a lever 69 constituting part of the valve mechanism, the free end of the lever 69 being connected through the agency of any suitable form of universal joint (for example, a ball and socket joint) to the upper end of a rod 10, the lower end of which is similarly connected to the free endof the arm 1| (see Figs. 1 and 3) which is carried by one end of a shaft 12, the latter being suitably journaled in a bracket element 13 carried by the frame work of the machine and the frame part 58. Another arm 14 is secured to the shaft 12 and has its free end connected by means of a link to the end of an arm 16 which is one arm of a bell crank, the other arm of which is indicated at 11. The arm 11 carries a roller 18 which engages a cam 19 which serves to rock the bell crank arms 16 and 11 and thereby to actuate the measuring valve 53.

The cams 66, 61, and 18 are carried by opposite ends of a shaft 80 rotatably journaled in the frame 58, which is preferably in the form of a housing for worm and worm wheel speed re-- ducing gearing 8| and 82 through which power is transmitted to the shaft 80 from the bevel gear 28. The worm wheel 8| is secured to one end of a shaft 82 which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearing elements formed-integral with or mounted on the frame or housing element 58 and provided with a bevel gear 83 which meshes with the bevel gear 28. A spring 84 stretched between the free end of the lever 68 and the free end of the lever 1| serves to prevent'separation thereof and escape of the intermediate rod and a spring 85 stretched between the bell crank lever 11, and a pin 86 carried by the frame housing 58 causes the cam follower "-18 to follow thecam 19 so that the valve 53 isclosed, as provided for by the shape of the cam 18.

While the receptacle is being filled in one of the holders 31 at station B, the filled receptacle in the holder 31 at station C may be covered with a cover sheet of metal foil or other impervious material. Such cover sheet may be automatically applied, but in this instance, it is contemplated that the cover sheet will be manually deposited since the mechanism disclosed is in the nature of a semiautomatic machine. I

Bv reference to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be .seen

that the package embodies a receptacle element R which includes a bottom 81, side walls 88 and an outwardly extending rim flange 89. a filling of material 98 and a top or cover sheet T which has a marginal portion overlapping the rim flange portion 89 of the receptacle, (see also Figs. 15 and 16) As most clearly shown in Fig. 16, the upper edge of the side wall 38 of the holder is provided with a groove or recess 9I which extends entirely around the holder and is preferably spaced outwardly from the wall thereof.

At station D, mechanism is operated to interfold the marginal portion of the cover or top T and the rim flange 89. This mechanism includes an upper die member 92 which is carried by a cross head 93, the latter being secured to the upper'end of a vertically adjustable rod 94. Intermediate its ends, the rod 93 is secured to a shaft 95 which is vertically slidable in a suitable bearing member 96 mounted on the top of a supporting frame element 91.

- rod serve to normally urge the rod to move downwardly. Intermediate the bearing brackets 98 and 99, the rod 94 has secured to it a laterally extending arm I82 which, carries an anti-friction roller I83 adapted to engage the head of a member I84 which is adjustably mounted in the free end of an arm I85. The arm I85 is pivoted as indicated at I88 on the side of the supporting frame element 91, and is provided with a roller I81 which engages a cam I88 secured to one end of a shaft I89 which is driven at reduced speed through speed reducing gearing from the bevel gear 28 as previously described in connection with the holder elevating mechanism.

The cam I88 is so shaped that it will act on the roller I81 and lever I85 to raise the rod 94 against the pressure of the spring I 88. For a predetermined period during the intermittent movement of the turntable 25, the rod 94, crosshead 93 and upper die member 92 are maintained in elevated position by the cam I88. When the conveyor table 25 reaches a predetermined position and while it remains at rest, the cam I88 permits the spring I88 to lower the rod 94 and upper die member 92 to effect interfolding of the relatively overlapping portions of the cover or top T and receptacle R.

By reference to Fig. 17, it will be seen that the upper die member is provided with a depending tongue or flange-like part II8 which operates to tuck the overlapping marginal portions of the receptacle and top into the recess or groove 9I of the holder, thereby interfolding the said top and receptacle portions. Guide fingers III are secured to the upper die member at its opposite sides to insure proper alignment of the upper die member with the holder 31 which constitutes, in effect, a lower diemember.

To insure the formation of a firm and sharply formed or neat appearing package, means is provided for effecting limited compression of the package upon completion of the interfolding operation so far described. Since the interl'olded marginal portions of the receptacle and cover are not, prior to the compressing operation, joined tightly enough to form an air-tight joint between them, the compressing operation also serves to expel air which may have been trapped within the package.

The compressing means referred to includes the false bottom element 48 which is vertically adjustable within the holder. It will be recalled that the false bottom element 48 is secured to the upper end of a depending rod 49, the lower end of which is provided with the head 58. The bottom of the head 58 is rounded and is adapted to ride on the top edge of a cam track vI I2 which is mounted above the guide member 41. As shown in Fig. 13, the guide track H2 is segmental in form and extends around slightly more than one half the path of travelof the rod heads 58. When the holder 31 arrives at station D, the rod head 58 at station D rests on the topof the cam track II2 but has not been moved upwardly thereby.

v, The part of the cam track I I2 which is engaged by the rod head 58 at station D is provided with an independent, vertically adjustable insert element I I3 'which is guided in its vertical adjustment' by a pair of depending pins II4, carried by the insert H3 and slidable in suitable openings in the guide track. A stud I I5 depending from the insert H3 and extending through a suitable aperture in the track I I2 is suitably connected at its lower end below the bottom of the track II2 with one end of a lever II6 which I is pivoted as indicated at I" intermediate its ends to a bracket '8 which is secured to the side of the supporting frame 91. The other end of the lever H5 is connected by means of a ball and socket connection to one end of a link rod II9, the other end of which is similarly connected to a member I28 which is adjustably mounted in the free end of an arm I2I.

The arm I2I has associated with it an arm I22 (the arms'IZI and I22 constituting, in effect, a bell crank), and the free end of the arm I22 is provided with a roller I23 which engages a cam I24. The cam I24 is so shaped that in properly timed relation with the forming of the interfolded joint previously described, a spring I26 is permitted to effect downward movement of the arm I2I and consequently upward movement of the cam track insert H3. The upward movement of the insert H3 and of the false bottom element 48 is thus controlled by the cam I24 and is yieldingly effected by the spring I26. In one embodiment of the invention, one-sixteenth of an inch has been found to be ample movement of the bottom element 48 for the purpose mentioned. As shown, a special adjustable stop I2'I may be provided for facilitating adjustment of the limit of upward movement which may be imparted to the cam track insert H3.

During the travel of the holder' from station D to station E, the false bottom member 48 is further elevated as an incident to passage to the roll head 58 over the upwardly inclined portion I28 of the cam track II 3, and when the holder is disposed in station E, the said rod head rests on the horizontal or rest portion I29 of the said cam track. By reference to Figs. 9, 10 and 18, it will be seen *that in station E, the package is so elevated that the interfolded marginal portions designated I38 are displaced from the recess 9I and are exposed so that the mechanism about to be described may operate on the said interfolded portions to close the same against the adjacent surface of the package.

The closing mechanism referred to is indicated generally by the reference numeral I3I, this mechanism being carried by a cross head I32 which is secured to the upper end of a rod I33. The rod I33 is vertically slidably mounted in spaced bearing brackets I34 and I35 which are secured to adjacent portions of the supporting frame I36. A spring I31 disposed around the lower portion of the rod I33 and compressed between the lower bearing bracket I35 and a nut I38 serves to normally move the rod I33, cross head I32, and closing mechanism I3I downwardly.

Downward movement of the rod I33 and parts carried thereby under the influence of the spring I31 is controlled by means of a cam I39 which acts against a roller I40 carried by the free end of an arm I4I which is one arm of a bell crank, the other arm being shown in I42. The bell crank I4 I-I42 is pivoted on the frame I36 as indicated at I43 so that it may be rocked about the pivot I43 by the cam I39. The free end of the arm I42 is provided with an adjustable member I44 which is adapted to engage a roller I45 carried by an arm I46 which projects laterally from the vertically adjustable rod I33.

It will be seen that the cam I39 will be operative through the bell crank arms I4I-I42 and the arm I46 to move the rod I33 upwardly against the pressure of the spring I31 and that when the cam permits, the spring I38 will be operative to lower the rod and parts carried thereby.

Horizontal swinging movement of the crosshead I32 about the axis of the rod I 33 is prevented by suitable guide means which, in this instance, includes a guide rod I41 which is ri idly secured to the cross head I32 and is vertically slidable in a bearing I48 which is carried by a portion of the framework of the machine.

. The mechanism I3I includes a guide rod I49 which is fixedly secured in the end of the cross head I32. The guide rod I49 projects both above and below the cross head and at its lower end serves to support a presser plate I50. The cross head I32 also carries a cage-like structure which includes a top plate I5I and an annular bottom plate I52, the two plates being rigidly united by QAs clearly shown in Fig. 10, the jaw portions I56 are offset downwardly relative to their respective tongue portions so as to be operative immediately below the pressure plate I50. By inspection of Fig, 11, it will be observed that one pair of oppositely disposed jaws I56 is operative between the other pair.

The jaws I56 are adapted to be adjusted horizontally through the agency of levers such as I51 which are pivoted intermediate their ends as indicated at I58 in suitable ears or lugs carried by the top plate I5I. The lower ends of the levers I51 are forked to fit over pins I59 which are carried by cars such as I60 which extend upwardly from the tongue portions of the respective jaws. The upper ends of the levers I51 are provided with inclined cam engaging end portions I6I.

For actuatingthe levers I51 and thereby the jaws I56, a cam head I62 is vertically, slidably mounted on the upper end of the guide shaft I49, a suitable key arrangement such as indicated at I63 .being provided to prevent turning of the the cam head on the shaft. A coil spring I64, interposed between the lower end I65 of the head I62, and the top surface I66 of the cross head I32, serves to normally urge the cam head to move upwardly. The cam head is provided with depending ears I61 which are respectively provided with cam fingers I68 suitably secured to the respective ears and beveled for engagement with the inclinediend portions I6I of the respective levers I51. It will be seen that when the cam head I62 islowered against the pressure of the spring I64, the cam fingers I68 will engage the inclined ends of respective levers I51 to spread the upper ends thereof, thereby effecting inward adjustment of the closing. jaws I56. Upon upward movement of the cam head I62, the springs, such as indicated at I69, interposed between the respective levers near their forked ends, and ears I10 which are suitably secured to the shaft I49, serve to swing the levers in the opposite direction to move the jaws outwardly.

Down movement of the cam head I62 is effected by means of a cam I1I which acts on a roller I12 carried by the free end of an arm I13. The arm I13 is one arm of a bell crank, the other arm being indicated at I14, and the bell crank being pivotally mounted on the cross shaft I43. Thefree end of the bell crank arm I14 is provided with a ball and socket connection to one end of a rod I15, the opposite end of which is similarly secured to one end of a lever I11 which is pivoted intermediate its ends as indicated at I18 in the upper end of a standard I19. The other end of the lever I11 is provided with a rounded head portion I80 which is adapted to engage the top I8I of the cam head I62. A spring I82 which connects the arm I14 and lever I11 serves to prevent disengagement of the ball and socket connections between the said arm and lever and the respective ends of the rod I15. A spring I83 stretched between the arm I14 and a fixed point on the supporting frame, serves to swing the bell crank I13-I14 at a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, so as to to maintain the cam follower I12 in engagement with the operating cam I".

It will be seen that when the cam I1I rotates, it will act against the roller I12 to swing the bell crank I13-I14 in a clockwise direction, thereby rockingthe lever I11 in a clockwise direction'so that its end I80 presses the cam head I62 downwardly to thereby move the interfold closing jaws inwardly.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the closing mechanism I3I and rod I33 are in lowered position, wherein the jaws I56 are in alignment with the interfolded portions of the package wrapper. It will, however, be understood that when the turntable 25 is moving to advance one of the holders and its package from the inter-folding station D to the closing station E, the closing mechanism I3I and rod I33 are in an elevated position so as to permit the package (which is elevated in the holder) to move into its proper position in the station E. Downward movement of the mechanism I3I and rod I33 is effected by the means explained after the turntable is stopped, and the interfolding operation is, of course, effected during a period of rest of the turntable. The extent of downward movement of the closing mechanism I3I as an incident to the downward movement of the rod I33 is so adjusted that the presser plate I50 will engage the top of the package without materially squeezing the package against the false bottom element 48 of the holder. Since the package is confined between the presser plate I50 and the false bottom element 48 around its sides by the side wall 38 of the holder, the closing pressure of the jaws I58 will not deform the package but will merely serve to press the interfolded portions of the package into a closed fold against the surface of the package substantially as indicated in Fig. 18. For clearness in illustration, the thickness of the wrapper material. has been materially exaggerated and it Will,

therefore, be further understood that in actual packaging, the interfolding portions I38 will not project materially beyond the surface of the package. In fact, the arrangement may obviously be such that the extra thickness of the wrapper caused by the overlapping plies of wrapping material in the interfolded portions may be pressed into the package sufficiently to cause outside surface of the interfolded portions to be substantially flush with the adjacent surface of the package.

Adjustment of the extreme lowered portion of the presser plate I50 is easily accomplished by adjusting the member I44 through which movement of the rod I33 is controlled by the cam I39. The extent of downward adjustment of the cam head I62 may be controlled by adjusting the stop screw I84 in the lever I" to thereby adjust the relation between the arm I71 and bell crank lever I14.

' To insure accurate positioning of the turntable 25 and for preventing shifting thereof when the crank pin 35 is disengaged from the slots 32, the following locking arrangement is provided. A series of blocks I85 respectively associated with the holders 3! in predetermined-relation thereto 4 are secured to the bottom of the turntable, each such block being provided with a V-notch I86. A plungerrod I81. slidably mounted in suitable brackets I88 and I89 is provided with a head I90 which is adapted to enter the V-shaped notch I86 to lock the turntable in fixed position. The plunger rod I81 is connected at its lower end to the end of an arm I90 which constitutes one arm of a bell crank, the other arm of which is shown at I9I. The bell crank I90.-I9I is pivoted as indicated at I92 on the supporting frame I35, and the free end of the arm I9I is provided with a roller I93 which engages a cam I94. A sprin I stretched between the arm I90 and a fixed point on the frame I36 serves to swing the bell crank I90-I 9| counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 9 to maintain the roller I93 in engagement with the cam I94. The cam I94 is. so shaped that in properly timed relation with the intermittent movement of the conveyor table 25, the spring is permitted to raise the plunger I81 into locking engagement with the notched block I85. At the end of each period of rest of the turntable, the cam I94 acts against the roller I93 to swing the, bell crank I90-I9I in a clockwise direction to thereby lower the plunger rod I81 to thereby unlock the conveyor.

The cams I39, I'II,and I94 are carried by a shaft I95 which is driven at proper speed by means of suitable speed changing gear mechanism If the interfolded portions of the wrapper are closed against the sides of the package as above explained, the closing mechanism I3I is elevated to free the package therefrom and the turntable is again advanced. During the travel of the package from the closing station E to the station indicated at F in Fig. 1, the package is completely ejected from the holder. The package is ejected by reason of the rise I96 in the cam track H2, and when the package arrives in the station F, it is supported in ejected position by the high spot I91 of the said cam track.

A discharge chute I98 is aligned'with the holder in station F and the following mechanism is provided for moving the finished package from the elevated false bottom 46 of the holder into the discharge chute I98.

A pusher I99 hinged as indicated'at 200 to a lu depending from a slide 20I is held by a spring 202 in substantially vertical position so that when the slide 20I is moved outwardly, the pusher I99 will engage the adjacent side of the package and force it into the chute I98. The spring 202 is provided to permit the pusher I99 to yield in the event that the package is prevented from freely moving in front of the pusher.

The slide 20! is slidably supported on a rod 203 which is supported at its inner end in a bracket 204 secured to the upper end of the stationary shaft 26 and. supported at its outer end in a bracket 205 which is carried by a frame part 206. The slide 20I is provided with a pair of upwardly extending ears .201 which embrace a guide rod 208 spaced upwardly from and secured to the rod 203 to prevent turning of the slide 20! on the rod 203.

Sliding movement of the slide 20I along the rod 203 is effected by means of a cam 209 which acts against a roller 2I0 carried by an arm 2I I. The arm 2I l is one arm of a bell crank, the other arm of which is shown at M2 and which is connected by means of a link 2I3 with the slide 20I. A spring 2I4 stretched between the arm H2 and a stationary support of the frame 206 serves to swing the bell crank ZI I-2I2 in such a direction that the roller 2 I0 is maintained in engagement with the operating cam 209. The cam 209 is continuously driven at predetermined speed by suitable worm and worm wheel driving mechaagency of reversed L-shaped brackets 2I5 which are slotted as indicated at 2I9 to permit clamping screws 2|! to move vertically with the track II2. When adjusted to the proper position, the screws 2" are tightened to hold the track in such adjusted position. The track may further be supported in such adjusted positionby means of aplurality of spaced supporting screws such as indicated at 2I8 which are threaded into the bottom of the-cam track and provided with lock nuts for locking'them in adjusted position; As

' shown, the supporting screws 218 rest on the top of the guide 41 and thereby resist downward displacement of the cam track. While the package mechanism herein described is illustrated for forming rectangular packages, it will, of course, be apparent to. those skilled in the art that shapes other than rectangular may be similarly made. The described arrangement is, however, suitable for making commercial packages of a type which has been found to be quite satisfactory to the trade. The interfolded joint between the receptacle and cover portions of the wrapper provides an effimuch longer period than ,is the case with other commercial types of packages.

Changes in the described structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which should be determined by reference to the following claims, the same being construed as broadly as possible, consistent with the state of the art.

-I claim as my invention:--

1. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a conveyor for propelling the package along a predetermined path of travel, vertically movable means for in terfolding rim flange and marginal portions respectively of the receptacle and cover while on said conveyor, and transversely movable means for closing said interfolded portions against the adjacent portions of the package.

2. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a holder for positioning a filled receptacle, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a. recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, and means adapted to enter and cooperate with said recess for efiecting interfolding of said flange and marginal portions in said recess.

3. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a holder for positioning a filled receptacle, said holder h v g a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, means adapted to enter and cooperate with said recess for effecting interfolding of said flange and marginal portions in said recess, means for elevating the receptacle relative to said holder so as to expose said interfolded portions, and means for closing said interfolded portions against the surface of the package.

4. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a holder for positioning a filled receptacle, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge spaced outwardly from the inside of the holder wall, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, and means adapted to enter and cooperate with said recess for effecting interfolding of said flange and marginal portions in said recess.

5. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a holder for positioning a filled receptacle, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having 'a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, means adapted to enter and cooperate with said recess for effecting interfolding of said flange and marginal portions in said recess, means for elevating the receptacle relative to said holder so as to expose said interfolded portions. means for closing said interfolded portions against, the surface of the package, and means for ejecting the package from the holder.

6. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a holder for positioning a filled receptacle, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having a mar ginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, means adapted to enter and cooperate with said recess for effecting interfolding of said flange and marginal portions in said recess, means for elevating the receptacle relative to said holder so as to exposesaid interfolded portions, means for closing said interfolded portions against the surface of the package, means for ejecting the package from the holder, and means for carrying the ejected package away from the holder.

7. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a conveyor, means for intermittently advancing said conveyor, a holder carried by said conveyor for positioning a filled receptacle thereon, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly 'over said recessed edge and being covered with a 'cover sheet having a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, means operative during a period of rest of, said conveyor to enter and cooperate with said recess to effect interfolding of said relatively overlapping flange and marginal portions in said recess, means operative during another period of rest of the conveyor to close said interfolded portions against the surface of the package, and means for ejecting the package from the holder and discharging the ejected package from the conveyor.

8. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its ,cover, the combination of a holder for positioning a filled receptacle, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and, the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge,

said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, means adapted to enter and cooperate with said recess for effecting interfolding'of said flange and marginal portions in said recess, and means for closing said interfolded portions against the surface of the package.

9. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a conveyor, means for intermittently advancing said conveyor, a holder carried by said conveyor for positioning a filled receptacle thereon, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered'with a cover sheet having a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, means operative during a period of rest of said conveyor to enter and cooperate with said recess to effect inte'rfolding of said relatively overlapping flange and marginal portions in said recess, means operative during another period of rest of the conveyor to close said inter-folded portions against the surface of the package, and

means movable relative to the conveyor while at rest for discharging the ejected package from the conveyor.

10. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a conveyor, means for intermittently advancing said conveyor, a holder carried by said conveyor for positioning a filled receptacle thereon, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having'a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, means operative during a period of rest of said conveyor to enter and cooperate with said recess to effect interfolding of said relatively overlapping flange and marginalportions in said recessj means for efiecting compression of the package after said interfolding operation to expel air from the package, means operative during anotherperiod of rest of the conveyor to close said interfolded portions against the surface of the package, and means for ejecting the package from the holder and discharging the ejected package from the conveyor. 11. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover having mutually overlapping rim flange and marginal portions respectively, the

combination of a conveyor, means for interfold ing said rim flange and marginal portions, means for compressing the package after said interfolding operation to expel air from the package, and movable means operable after said compressing operation for engaging and closing said interfolded portions against the adjacent portions of the package.

12. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a conveyor, means for intermittently advancing said conveyor, a holder carried by said conveyor for positioning a filledreceptacle thereon, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, means operative during a period of rest of said conveyor to enter and cooperate with said recess to effect interfolding of said relatively overlapping flange and marginal portions said recess, means operative during succeeding travel of the conveyor to elevate the package relative to the holder so as to expose said interfolded portions, means operative during a succeeding period of rest of the conveyor to close said 'interfolded portions against the surface of the package, means operative during further travel of the conveyor to eject the package from the holder, and means for removing the ejected package from the conveyor.

13. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a conveyor, means for intermittently advancing said conveyor, a holder carried by said conveyor, a vertically movable bottom member and a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall porsaid relatively overlapping flange and marginal portions in said recess, means for effecting limited upward movement of said bottom member for compressing the package to exclude air therefrom, means for effecting further limited upward movement of said bottom member during succeeding travel of the conveyor to elevate said interfolded portions out of the said recess, means operative during a succeeding period of rest of the conveyor for closing said interfolded portions against the surface ofthe package, means for effecting further upward movement of said bottom member during further travel of the conveyor for ejecting the package from the holder, and means for discharging the package I'rom said bottom member.

14. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a conveyor, means for intermittently advancing said conveyor, a holder carried by said conveyor for positioning a filled receptacle thereon, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having a marginalportion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, means operative during a period of rest of said conveyor to effect interfolding of said relatively overlapping flange and marginal portions in said recess, a vertically adjustable bottom member in said holder, a stationary cam track, means extending from said bottom member into engagement wi h said cam track whereby the cam track contro the position of vertical adjustment of said bottom member, an element normally constituting a part of said cam track but vertically adjustable relative thereto, means for effecting limited upward movement of. said element to thereby adjust said bottom member upwardly upon completion of said interfolding operation to compress and expel air from the package, said cam track having a cam portion operable during succeeding travel of the conveyor to elevate the package relative to the receptacle so as to expose said interfol'ded portions, means for closing said interfolded portions against the surface of the package, and said cam track having another portion operative upon further movement of the conveyor to eject the package from the holder. I

15. In a machine of the class described, a conveyor, a holder adapted to receive an empty re-. ceptacle to be filled, said holder being verticall adjustably mounted on said conveyor and having a part provided with a laterally extending roller, a guide member having a groove therein for receiving said roller so as to thereby control the vertical position of adjustment of said holder, said guide having a separate section which is vertically movable relative to its normal position in the guide to thereby elevate the holder to a position adjacent a filling means above the normal position of horizontal adjustment of said holder,

and means for efiecting upward adjustment of said guide section in predetermined timed relation to the travel of the conveyor.

16. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a conveyor, means for intermittently advancing said conveyor,

a holder carried by said conveyor for positioning a filled receptacle thereon, said holder having a the wall portion having a recess inits upper edge, said receptacle. having a flange extending outwall portion embracing the filled receptaclejahd wardly over said recessed edge and being covered erative during a period of rest of said conveyor just said bottom member upwardly upon completion of said interfolding operation to expel air from the package.

17. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of a holder for positioning a filled receptacle thereon, said holder having a wall portion embracing the filled receptacle and the wall portion having a recess in its upper edge, said receptacle having a flange extending outwardly over said recessed edge and being covered with a cover sheet having a marginal portion overlapping said flange and recessed edge, an upper die having means adapted to enter the recess in said holder to interfold said overlapping flange and marginal portions in the recess, and cam-controlled, yieldingly actuated means for lowering said upper die.

18. In a machine of the class described, means for closing interfolded receptacle and cover portions against the surface of a package, comprising a holder for positioning the package, horizontally movable jaws adapted to engage and close the interfolded portion against the surface of the package and vertically movable means for actuating said jaws.

19. In a machine of the class described, mean for closing interfolded receptacle and cover portions against the surface of. a package, comprising a holder for positioning the package, horizontally movable jaws adapted to engage and close the interfolded portion against the surface of the package, vertically movable cam means, and levers operatively connected to said jaws and adapted to be actuated by said cam means for actuating said jaws.

20. In a package making machine of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, a holder on said conveyor for positioning a filled receptacle on the conveyor, means associated with said holder for interfolding peripheral portions of the receptacle in said holder and a cover for the receptacle, means for causing the package to assume an elevated position relative to the holder to expose the interfolded portion of the receptacle and cover, and means for closing said interfolded portions against the surface of the receptacle comprising a vertically adjustable head, a plurality of jaws laterally adjustably mounted on said head, means for lowering said head so as to cause said jaws to embrace said interfolded portions, and means carried by said head and adjustable relative thereto for actuating said jaws.

21. In a package making machine of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, a holder on said conveyor for positioning a filled receptacle on the conveyor, means associatedwith said holder for interfolding peripheral portions of the receptacle in said holder and a cover for the receptacle, means for causing the package to assume an elevated position relative to the holder to expose the interfolded portions of the receptacle and'cover, and means for closing said interfolded portions against the surface of the receptacle comprising a vertically adjustable head, a

plurality of jaws laterally adjustably mounted on said head, means for yieldingly lowering said head so as to cause said jaws to embrace said interfolded portions, means carried by said head and adjustable relative thereto for actuating said jaws, and means for yieldingly actuating said last mentioned means.

22. In a package making machine of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, a holder on said conveyor for positioning a filled receptacle on the conveyor, means associated with said holder for interfolding peripheral portions of the receptacle in said holder and a cover for the receptacle, means for causing the package to assume an elevated position relative to the holder to expose the interfolded portion of the receptacle and cover, and means for closing said interfolded portions against the surface of the receptacle comprising a vertically adjustable head, a plurality of jaws laterally adjustably mounted. on said head, means for yieldingly lowering said head so as to cause saidjaws to embrace said interfolded portions, and means for yieldingly actuating said jaws.

23. In a machine for making rectangular packages of the class described, means for producing a package including a receptacle and a. cover having interfolded flange and marginal portions respectively, means for closing such interfolded portions against the respective sides of the package comprising two pairs of jaws respectively associated with oppositely disposed sides of the package, means for effecting substantially simultaneous inward movement of the jaws of one of said pairs, and means for subsequently efiecting substantially inward movement of the jaws of the other pair.

24. In a machine for closing a package receptacle and its cover, the combination of male and female die means for interfolding rimflange and marginal portions respectively of the receptacle and cover, and presser means movable laterally relative to the direct on of movement of said die means for engaging and closing said interfolded portions.

25. In a-machine for closing a package receptacle and cover having mutually overlapping rim flange and marginal portions respectively, the combination of male and female die means for inter-folding said rim flange and marginal portions in outside overlapping relation to a marginal side portion of the package, and presser means movable laterally relative to the direction of movement of said die means for engaging and closing said interfolded portions against the underlying side portions of the package.

JACOB SCHNUR. 

